SI Cannock’s 54th Annual Dinner
The 54th Annual Dinner of S.I. Cannock & District took place on 6th February at the Ramada Hotel, Cannock.
President Lakhwinder Thompson welcomed 105 members and their guests from the Midland Chase region and beyond, she thanked them for making the journey on such a bitterly cold evening. She was particularly pleased to welcome Soroptimists from Liverpool, Solihull and Central Birmingham – Cannock club members met them at the conference in Barbados last November.
Mike Sutton, President of the Rotary club of Cannock, proposed the toast to Soroptimist International. He talked of many of the Soroptimists in the Cannock club who he knew well – his mother Winnie was a Soroptimist for many years.
The response was given by Region President Pauline Wright. She spoke of the work of SI and the work by the club, Cannock & District, congratulating them for the actions they have taken over the last year.
Ashley Blake was the guest speaker for the evening. Ashley is a Midlands Today reporter, he also presents the programme ‘Inside Out’. He proved himself a positive, upbeat and charming character, telling of his upbringing in Lozells, Birmingham. He was the youngest of 6, with 3 sisters and 2 brothers, being brought up in a loving home by his mother who held down three jobs in order to support her family. His Mother worked with Young Offenders, something he couldn’t understand at the time, though since he has followed suit, realising that she was right when she told him that these youngsters lacked love, inspiration and leadership in their lives.
He attended Bournville College and Birmingham University, then spent three years as a flight attendant to fulfil his wish of travel. At 25 years of age he went back to college to study journalism then worked for ITV for 6 years. He worked on Dream Ticket and BBC Breakfast News before joining Midlands Today in 2001. He told his audience how much he loves his job and spoke of ‘Midlands Today’ as a real family show in every sense of the word.
He stressed how much he owes his mother – she taught him how to iron a shirt, cook a meal, instilled a good work ethic in him – he has got to where he is today with hard work, inspiration and a lot of love. He is following in his Mother’s footsteps by trying to bring some of that to young people’s lives with the work he does in schools.
Immediate Past President Pam McGauley gave the vote of thanks telling Ashley how wonderful it had been to hear such a positive talk from a young man.
As she wished everyone Goodnight, President Lakhwinder thanked the Ramada Hotel for providing such a super meal and the team of Soroptimists who had organised the successful 54thAnnual Dinner of the club.
February 20th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Sounds like an excellent evening .
March 3rd, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Hi Lakhwinder
Lovely to read the report and see the lovely photo!
Dishi